What About You?

R.P.Daniels

While recently discussing a fatal car accident, a young man said to me, "Boy, I'm scared to death to die." He has company because most people are afraid to die, whether they will admit it or not. We all fear the "unknown of eternity." The question we would like answered is, "What is beyond death?"

Let's see what some likely sources might tell us.

"Doctor, what is beyond death?"

"I don't know," he says. "All I can tell you is that some people die peacefully and others die in terror. Maybe the undertaker can tell you more."

The undertaker was even less helpful than the doctor, telling us only of his elaborate equipment to preserve the body in the grave. However, he suggested that we see the scientists at State U., who are always seeking answers to the unknown. "We can tell about fossils and the chemistry of living cells, but we can't tell you what is beyond death." The scientists then sent us to the Philosophy Dept.

There we were told of the many conflicting theories of both modern and ancient philosophers, about life-after-death, from reincarnation to nonexistence, but no one could assure us that any theory was more than man's imagination.

Remembering something that the doctor had said, we returned to him. "Doctor, why do some of your patients die peacefully, and others in terror?"

He replied, "Why don't you ask them?"

We were introduced to Mrs. Kramer, dying from an accident. She began to beg the doctor not to let her die, because the thought of going into eternity was frightful to her. Although she had been active in her church and done the best she could, she now felt unprepared to die. Her religion and good works weren't enough.

The doctor then introduced us to Mr. McIntyre, rapidly dying of cancer. We asked him why he seemed so at ease. Did he know what was beyond death and whether it was pleasant or horrible?

"Yes, I do," he replied, "and I got my information from the only possible source - from God Himself, as He had it recorded in His Book, the Bible. However, whether eternity is pleasant or horrible depends on something." He opened his Bible to Revelation 20 and asked us to read verses 6 to 15...

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ..." but "...anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."

Amazed at these words, we asked, "How can you be so calm when you might go to that place called the "Lake of Fire?"

"Oh'" he replied, "There's no possibility of me going to Hell because God has made Provision so men don't have to go there, and I have accepted that Provision. I have the same assurance that the Apostle Paul had, when he said that 'to die is gain' because departing this life was to 'be with Christ; which is far better'." [Philippians 1:21,23].

"That's great," we said, "but please explain what you mean by 'Provision' being made and your acceptance of it?"

"Well," he replied, "the Bible clearly says, in Romans 3:23, that 'all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,' but God, in His great love for His inful creatures, sent His co-equal Son, Who took upon Himself manhood, in the Person of Jesus Christ, that He might die for our sins. Jesus paid the full and righteous penalty for my sins, so that I can spend eternity with Him, if I repent and accept Him as my Saviour and the Lord of my life. He is my Substitute and now God looks at me as being 'in Christ' repenting of sin and accepting Him as Saviour and Lord here."

Pointing his finger straight at us, he asked, "Will you repent and accept God's Provision, Jesus Christ, as your Saviour, or will you reject Him and die in your sins, to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire, God's eternal Hell?"

Dear Reader, in our little story above, based on the truths of the Bible, Mr. McIntyre has asked you a very important question, even if you may be young and healthy! What is your answer? Christianity is not just a provision for dying but a life to live. It daily gives one "peace with God." (Romans 5:1) and the wonderful, fear-removing knowledge that we spend eternity in the Father's house, where there 'are pleasures for evermore'. Read John 14:1-3; Psalm 23:6; Psalm 16:11. Do you accept God's verdict that you are a sinner and thus realize your need for a Saviour? If so, won't you as you read this, repent, confess your sins to God and accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life? In closing, read with us Romans 10:9-10...

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, (or, Jesus as Lord) and believe in your heart (with your entire self) that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."